Support for an exercise ball

ABSTRACT

A support for an exercise ball includes multiple support sections to form an annular shape. Each support section has a tapered thickness so as to form a triangular shape in section, multiple extensions formed on a first end of the support section and multiple cutouts defined in a second end of the support section opposite to the first end to receive therein the extensions of an adjacent support section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support for an exercise ball, andmore particularly to the support that is sectioned so that the volume ofthe support is compact when in storage.

2. Description of Related Art

An exercise ball is of course spherical in shape and thus a support isrequired to position the ball when not in use, otherwise the ball tendsto roll around causing a nuisance and possibly danger through someonetripping over the it. A conventional support (70) for such an exerciseball (72) is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The support (70) is annular and hasa tapered thickness so that the support (70) has a wedged shape in crosssection. In a central area of the support (70), a through hole (71) isdefined so that the exercise ball (72) is supported by a periphery (700)adjacent to the through hole (71). However, because the conventionalsupport (70) is fixed in structure, the user has to prepare too muchspace for storage when the support (70) is not in use. Furthermore, itis very inconvenient for the user to transport such a support (70)especially when the structure of the support (70) cannot bedisassembled.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide animproved support to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a supportfor restraining an exercise ball. The support is sectioned so that thevolume for storage is small.

Another objective of the present invention is that the support has agroove defined in each of the support sections for receiving therein aperiphery of an elastic elliptical body.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support section of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the support section in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing that the support sections areassembled;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the application of the support of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a differentapplication of the support of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the application of a conventionalsupport; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the conventional support in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, it is noted that the support for anexercise ball in accordance with the present invention includes multiplesupport sections (10) (there are four support sections shown in thisembodiment) respectively having a substantially triangular shape asshown in FIG. 2. The support sections (10) are able to be assembled intoan annular shape as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the support sections (10)has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The firstend of the support section (10) is provided with multiple extensions(11) (two are shown) and the second end of the support section (10) hasmultiple cutouts (12) having a shape corresponding to the shape of theextensions (11). Each support section (10) has a tapered thickness, athrough hole (13) defined in a top side of the support section (10) anda groove (14) defined in a top face of the support section (10).

When the support sections (10) of the present invention are assembledand after the extensions (11) are received in the corresponding cutouts(12), an annular shape is formed. Thus an exercise ball (20) is able tobe rested on top of the support of the present invention as shown inFIG. 4. Furthermore, an elastic rope (not shown) may be extended throughtwo opposite through holes (13) so that the user is able to stand on topof the support of the present invention to do exercise using the elasticrope.

With reference to FIG. 5, it is noted that an elastic elliptical ball(21) having a peripheral edge (22) can be supported by the support ofthe present invention. That is, the peripheral edge (22) of the elasticelliptical ball (21) is able to be inserted into the grooves (14) ofeach of the support sections (10) and thus the user is able to sit ontop of the elastic elliptical ball (21).

From the previous discussion, it is noted that the support of thepresent invention is sectioned so that the storage space thereof iscompact and thus the user will feel convenient when carrying thesupport. Furthermore, the user is able to use the support to work on thebody by applying the elastic rope or the elastic elliptical ball.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. An annular support for an elliptical exercise ball having aperipheral edge extending out from an outer periphery of the ellipticalexercise ball, the support comprising: multiple support sectionscombinable to form an annular support member, each support sectionhaving a tapered thickness such that each section has a substantiallytriangular shape in section, at least one extension formed on a firstend of each support section and at least one cutout defined in a secondend of each support section opposite to the first end to receive thereinthe at least one extension of an adjacent support section, wherein athrough hole is defined in a top side of each support section such thattwo ends of an elastic rope are able to be secured to the top side ofthe support by extending through two opposite through holes, and whereina groove is defined in the top side of each support section such thatsaid annular support member has an annular groove for receiving thereina peripheral edge of an elliptical ball.
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